Should I start meds?

Hi all! I am a 42 year old confused woman! I have been through a variety of tests over the past month after experiencing optic neuritis that began about two months ago, including an MRI that showed several lesions in the frontal lobe area, I also have elevated sed rate. My neurologist gave me information today about Betaseron and stated that I should do some research so I could decide if this was a path I would opt to take at this time. Everything I have read suggests that the sooner you start meds after the “first MS related symptom” the better.   Here is the problem…my neurologist can not definitively give me an MS diagnosis after all the testing, although he can’t rule it out either. I do feel comfortable with him and think he has been thorough in his testing but don’t really want to jump into taking another prescript ion. I want to be proactive in treating this, if it is MS but again I’m nervous about beginning a new drug. I should mention that I was dx’d with UC in 2004 so I already have one auto-immune deficiency, guess that makes it more likely for me to have another (so says neuro). The elevated sed rate could be due to the UC although I am currently considered to be in remission.   Sorry about rambling… Should I start the treatment or wait? What are the cons to starting it if it turns out not to be MS? The episodes of optic neuritis are quite disturbing and I would like to get that under control but really don’t know the best way to approach it.   Thanks in advance! Post Edited (mamana monster) : 1/15/2008 1:38:01 PM (GMT-7)

Hey Mamana

I have to agree with Uppity here. It won't hurt u to be on the betaseron (unless u'r not compatible, and then u can try one of the other meds) and can only begin to help if this is ms. Unfortunately it does seem to be very possible that its ms. I'm so sorry for all u've been thru and this possible dx, but please do help u'rself in every way u can.

Welcome to the board and please feel free to post as often as u can and want. We have live chats on Mondays at 6:00pm (cst) each week and would love to have u join us! Please take good care of u'rself and let us know how u are and the decision u make. Again, welcome to the board!

mamana monster said...
Hi and thanks for the responses! I'm going to meet with my family doctor today and discuss this further. May sound strange for me to want to get his opinion but we have seen him for over a decade and I trust him with out question. I guess I just need some reassurance. :)

As far as additional testing, the only thing I have left is a spinal tap. Neither my neurologist or myself are chomping at the bit to get that one done. Also, he has stated there is no guarantee that we will be any closer to a definite dx afterward. Not really into the whole unnecessary pain thing so I think I will pass on this one! Ha!

I am really leaning toward starting the Betaseron and see where that goes.

Thanks again for the advice! Have a wonderful day!

I think it's really good that you have a family doctor you trust, and quite reasonable to talk this over with him.  You might also ask if he'd be willing to "manage your case" for you - -that is, once the Betaseron is prescribed, take over from the neuro, so you don't have to be running to different doctors.  I do this. My family physician is my "one stop shopping" for medical care.  He and I talk through stuff and if either of us think I need a referral somewhere, he makes it. Otherwise he handles it all, including prescriptions for renewals of the Betaseron (which I've been on for 15 or more years, now), and monitoring it.

Good luck with your visit!

the mri showed lesions, but to clinch the diagnosis my neurologist ordered a spinal tap. i was terrified! as it turned out, it was over before i knew it. the numbing was total, and i stayed flat the rest of the day. when the test results were in, i had some 6 "rings" and it confirmed the diagnosis. i cried both from the news and from relief of hearing a diagnosis. i then tried 3 different ms injection drugs, but my skin became too sensitive to continue. i am now on ivig only. to sum it up, don't be concerned by the spinal tap. it sounds worse than it is. also, good luck with the meds. linda

You may want to get a second opinion if you haven't already. I went 6 years w/o any meds because my doctors were not certain about it. There was no way I was going to start a medication if they were not sure. After I went to a doctor that specializes in MS and he said that is what I have, my husband and I decided Betaseron was good for me. The only problem I have had is not having enough fat to inject into, so my shots hurt sometimes. The "flu-like" symptoms are not bad. I had a problem with getting super hot, that was about it. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

Hi Lil Kimmie! Thanks for the feedback. My neurologist and I have decided for me to start Avonex, I start tomorrow. With all my symptoms and tests he and another doctor said it would be best to get an early start on this. I wasn't overly excited about starting a new drug but I think after weighing all the options it's the best thing to do.

 New day, new adventure, trying to have a positive attitude.

Blessings!